THE STORY:

I'm running in this year's Boston Marathon for the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust (MWCT). An organization close to my heart. I've been fundraising for the MWCT for about 2 years.

We have worked alongside the schools raising money for 2 HS merit based scholarships, books, and desks. Also, we've run campaigns to acquire LandRovers, handheld radios and PDA's for lion tracking, as well as nighttime cameras. We look forward to our next projects.

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Maasai Wilderness Conservation Fund wrote -

This year, for the 2012 Boston Marathon, MWCT is thrilled to field our first official team in the Boston Marathon! Any support you can give our 'Maasai Marathoners' by sponsoring their valiant 26 mile run on behalf of the work of MWCT is hugely appreciated. Meet our runners below and back your favorite one or you can contribute to the whole team just by clicking the "Donate" button on the right.

The money we raise is used to protect the legendary ecosystems and astounding biodiversity of East Africa through conservation that directly benefits local Maasai communities.

The world increasingly relies on many traditional communities like the Maasai to protect the ecological treasures that exist within the land that they own. But the incredible wilderness and wildlife of Africa's grasslands and the famous culture of the Maasai people both face daunting threats to their long-term survival. The fate of both rests with the Maasai themselves as they work to figure out how to benefit from their incredible natural resources while preserving them.

That's what MWCT is all about...a pioneering partnership between professional conservationists and dynamic young Maasai leaders to show that the Maasai community can thrive, not just survive, by managing their ecosystem wisely.

Julia aka Smules

Caroline and Matt McDermod

DONATION: $25

DONATION: $1,114

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